Congress – NASA Budget

NASA Authorization Bill:  Senate panel authorizes money for Mars mission, shuttle replacement  In a bid to stabilize the nation’s civil space endeavors across a transition in U.S. presidential administrations, the Senate Commerce Committee has passed a bipartisan measure that authorizes a $19.5 billion 2017 budget to continue work on a human Mars mission and efforts to send astronauts on private rockets launched from U.S. soil to the International Space Station. The measure, the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2016, is expected to pass once it reaches the full Senate.

Rep. Bridenstine on Commercial Space:  Bridenstine: Legislation Necessary to Regulate New Types of Commercial Space Activities  Rep. Jim Bridenstine urges compliance with the 1967 Outer Space Treaty as part of U.S. regulation of future commercial space activities, including asteroid mining activities.

Rep. Babin on Commercial Space:  Babin Wants Regulatory Rethink for Commercial Space  Rep. Brian Babin, chair of the U.S. House spacesubcommittee, urged a re-thinking of efforts among policy makers to regulate commercial space ventures. Babin, who spoke to a gathering of the CommercialSpace Flight Federation, expressed concerns excessive regulation could stifle innovation or smother creativity.

Citizens for Space Exploration – a pro-space, taxpayer, grassroots advocacy group (http://www.bayareahouston.com/content/c_s_e/c_s_e) – has traveled to Washington, D.C. the past 24 years to meet face-to-face with Members/staff of Congress to discuss the value of America’s investment in space exploration. In order to sustain that dialogue on a regular basis, Citizens distributes “Space Exploration Update” to Congressional offices on a weekly basis. The intent is to provide an easy, quick way to stay abreast of key human space exploration program and policy developments.